Portland, February 18th. Portland’s Second Annual Mardi Gras Ball was a foot-tapping good time at the Bossanova Ballroom. The group crowned a queen: Kathy Ware. Planning for the event is a year long process for the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, a Portland based Louisiana style Mardi Gras Krewe dedicated to bringing the spirit of Louisiana joie de vivre to the Pacific Northwest.
The 2012 Mardi Gras Ball featured colorful costumes
This year’s Ball included a costume contest, a second line, shoebox float parade, and the crowning of the 2012 King and Queen of the Mardi Gras Ball. Live music from Atomic Gumbo, Transcendental Brass Band, Too Loose Cajun Band, and Philly’s Phunkestra kept the costumed crowds on the dance floor all night long. Donation buckets were set up for Gulfsongs Oregon – the organization which raises money to support the gulf coast after the BP disaster through musical events.
Queen Kathy Ware and King Bruce Polonsky on their thrones
Planning is already underway for next year
Record crowds and fabulous costumes proved that Portland supports a lively Mardi Gras celebration. Look for Mysti Krewe of Nimbus at various parades and community events during the summer, and watch for the third annual Mardi Gras Ball in February 2013.
Here’s a link to a video of the festivities on stage with a song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV1NeU1DUyk
